Our Unpopular KISS Opinions That Will Cause Other KISS Fans to Say… No Way You Are Wrong! 

My unpopular KISS opinion: I love Cicchini’s router. (Esteban from Spain)

I actually love "Hot in the Shade."

1.) I like most of Gene's pre-revenge non-make up songs 2.) If Eric Carr was the 1st drummer, Ace would have been in KISS still for most of the 80s 3.) H.I.T.S. is a top 5 album

My unpopular opinion: My favourite member is Tommy. I was born in ‘96 and found KISS in 2007. Sonic Boom is my all time favourite KISS album & era 😎 Though I love it all!

I agree about Crazy Nights!! Paul Stanley was singing better than ever around this time. I grew up with the original band as well but the 80’s no makeup Kiss was what I love to this day!!! I’ll fight hell to hold you, Turn on the night, Crazy Nights!!! Great album!!

My unpopular kiss opinion is I like Peter criss 78 Solo record

My unpopular opinion: Lick It Up is KISS’s best album

50:53 "Hot In The Shade" is not a "freaking piece of garbage album". It has 10- 12 great and very good songs. 2-3 are okay. "Hot In The Shade" is 🔥 hot. 01:14 My unpopular opinion: "I Was Made For Lovin' You" is a Rock song. The atypical Motown/disco moments are well integrated. But it's still a Rocksong. And it's not a love-song.

My unpopular opinion is that - I was glad Peter Criss pulled out of the Farewell leg of the Australian Tour. Eric Singer was the tonic they needed. The drumming was so powerful...and in time.

Will transcripts of Mark's part of the discussion be made available so we can keep up?

The Tommy Thayer KISS was the musical equivalent of a wax museum, but maybe 90% of legacy touring bands are that also.

My unpopular opinion is VV was the best all around guitar player kiss had. Imagine if his head was screwed on tight and he helped write animalize and asylum , Paul probably would have gotten some invasion songs . I feel A lot of fans too 10 albums are creatures lick it up and revenge , all have vinnie songs

It’s 2024 no ones internet should suck that bad mark, crank that mouse on a wheel up .. 😂

With Tribute bands being popular in the '90s & early '00s I told told people 'If you wanna see the best KISS tribute band, Go see KISS They're own best Tribute band'

Carnival is in my Kiss top 5.

My unpopular opinion? Three sides is soo much better when it's only Mike and Tommy

I agree with Mark about Thayer, he was a good fit. My unpopular opinion is I like “Dynasty”.

I totally agree with Mark with his comments on Tommy Thayer. As for my unpopular opinion, I never really liked the Love Gun album, it's overrated. Half the songs (Tomorrow And Tonight, Almost Human, Got Love For Sale, Then She Kissed Me and Christine Sixteen) are way below average, the others are great though, but doesn't save the album for me.

More unpopular opinions (and I’m serious) -out of the 78 solo albums, as of today Peter’s’ is my favorite -“The Elder” is in my top 5 KISS albums -I have never liked “Cold gin” or (specially) “Let me go RnR” …and I’m not saying that to stir the pot. I’m being honest

Another great discussion, from two fine gentlemen. So here is my top 5 Unpopular opions. 1: I wholehearted agree with Michael about Crazy nights. and here's the story, there is quite the age gap between me and my brothers, however both myself but also my little brother are musicians but due to the age gap there never was much music we really agreed on or which instruments or whatever, so I had resigned myself to not really have anything in common with him, and Fast forward a few years, I was in new york and went to Bleecker Street records, & got a copy of Destroyer, & the rest is history, however this is where Crazy nights comes into the picture. I was a becoming a bigger & bigger kiss fan & would my whatever money I earned on instruments but also records & kiss records. and one day he came over to me just to discuss some minor things, and Crazy nights happened to be played on my stereo at the time and he was blown away, and for the first time in 10-12 Years him and actually chatted music and Kiss, he himself didn't know much about them but he isn't really a rock/metal guy. but Crazy nights was the one record we bonded over. 2: My Second unpopular opinion is & this is truly gonna ruffle some feathers, But Tommy Thayer saved kiss. & Here's why, for close a decade prior to getting the gig he worked with Gene and Paul behind the scenes & truly learned both the Music business but also the Kiss Music Business, while still remaining a fan & separate the emotional fandom to the business person. I have a suspicion that when Gene went Awol in the early 80's. Paul had up to that point only known gene to spar with both creative & Business. & it wasn't until Tommy came in Paul had someone else to refer to, and Perhaps gene did the same as well. when he didn't see eye to eye with Paul. 3: Lick it up both album & song aren't that amazing, I think the Kiss community has taken the removal of makeup and turned into something it perhaps isn't. I think lick up is an extention of Killers but slightly above hot in the shade but not by much. 4: I Am slightly dissapointed that Kiss didn't do at the point what metallica & iron maiden did, by celebrating their discograpy. Think about it. Metallica has played Kill them all & Ride the lightning & Master of Puppets & The Black album on several tours, while also do the Hit setlist. iron maiden on the legacy of the beast tour they pulled out all the songs that we have hoped they would do. Think about it, Alexander the great has the main song we fans never thought they would play and yet they did. and When I look at Kiss i think it's frustating that they couldn't bother celebrate the discography as much, I mean imagine a small tour/ kiss kruise playing Destroyer/Rock And Roll over in their entirety just an example 5: And this is also gonna ruffle some feathers. but the way Gene & Paul repeatedly bashed Ace & Peter. I feel that the fact that when they did the destroyer box & gene did an interview why not just focus on the music & the memories why bring all the negative shit up again, & he did it without prodding. That is one of those things that I am like. Listen you are talking to your audience we have known that there are issues between you guys, you did your biographies. Why keep bringing the negative stuff up. " Sorry had to get it of my chest a little". These are my top 5 unpopular opinons Have Splendid day Gentlemen. Side note. Dear kind Mark. I am drummer myself, and Would it be possible for you to at some point do a video tour of your kit (several drumkits If you have more) and tell the story behind it and what sizes they are and Cymbals & Cymbal Sizes. Thank you kindly Much Love & Respect & Appreciation from Denmark Tommy

During my entire KISS fandom, dating back to '76, I've always had opinions that 'most' fans would find unpopular. I apologize for NONE because I like what I like. Screw that, I LOVE what I love. Some that come to mind: Kissin' Time, the studio version of RNRAN over the live version, Beth, Great Expectations, every Ezrin-studio-trickery on Destroyer, Then She Kissed Me, Hooligan, the remixed Calling Dr. Love on Double Platinum, Gene's '78 solo album is my fave, Peter's does NOT suck, his Tossin' and Turnin' is the best version ever done, Hold Me Touch Me, The Elder is fucking cool, Gene had several post-makeup '80s songs that were cool, Read My Body, Paul's stage raps, the Psycho Circus album concept and most (not all) of the songs, the Rock the Nation tour/show. And all the soap opera-like drama and infighting of members past and present. Makes them more interesting to me. Each is/was great in their own way. Each is/was an ass in their own way. Just like the rest of us. Things most fans seem to love but I simply don't: Cold Gin, I Still Love You (studio or live...zzzzz), live Lick it Up, Rise to It blows, the Revenge album is overrated (the highs are super-high but some songs are pure filler...like Spit), Hate. Release the arrows.

Hoo boy. That episode was kinda like "Music from the Elder." There was some good stuff in there, but you had to endure a lot before you get to the solo in "Dark Light." The only time Mark's roo-ter was working was when he was singing drum solos! :) My unpopular opinion is that "Hot in the Shade" is better than it gets credit for. Yeah, it's too long and the demo thing. But there are at least five really good songs on there -- "Rise to It," "Hide Your Heart," "Forever," "Silver Spoon," and "Betrayed." Love the show, guys!

My unpopular opinion might be the fact that I was so pissed off when Peter and Ace quit or got fired the first time they left the band, as I was just a teenager at the time and couldn't understand why the band would break up after a rather short time and so soon after they became the biggest thing ever. I often wonder how great KISS could have been had all 4 got along and they all had a great time without abusing drugs or and alcohol. I still bought and supported KISS, Ace and Peter the entire time, but other bands started to pass them on my favorites list, as there was so many great bands and music in the 80's. It will never be popular with the Ace and Peter diehards, but I had nothing but admiration for Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, as they're both class acts, great to the fans and are humble, which is exactly what was missing and needed in KISS. Too many ego's in a band is a recipe for disaster, so while the original 4 will forever be my favorite version, it's a shame it never lasted longer than it did, but KISS still gave us 50 years of entertainment and happiness, which not many bands can replicate. Great show guys and Mark may know of this, as I found an old magnet of a KISS scalper in Detroit that I use to get my tickets from called Front Row Tickets. I think his name was John, but I could be wrong, as I just remember he was pretty good to deal with.

One of the most enjoyable podcast you have done. I love hearing the honest and contrary opinions. I would like to hear another one like this, maybe we can have Tommy & Lisa on the next one?

Crazy nights yes ,Tommy no.

There are some songs I prefer live like Let Me Go RR, Psycho Circus, & I Stole Your Love to name a few. I think Kiss Alive II is better than I & side 4 was great Mike. My solo order is Paul, Ace, Peter, Gene. Destroyer had the best costumes and album cover. Best drummer was Peter because of his jazz influence.

Destroyer, Lick It Up, and Revenge are overrated. Asylum is the best non-makeup album.

I think Unplugged is better than any of the Alive albums.

Mark needs closed captioning.

Here's my 2 bits worth 1: Alive II best live album 2: C'mon & love me studio version sucks! 3:Trouble Walkin' is my least fave Ace album 4: Crazy Nights is a great album Would love to hear Tommy & Lisa's input. Greetings from sunny N.Ireland

My unpopular opinion The Elder didn't sell well was because the previous 2 albums ( Dynasty and Unmasked) sucked. You take the best 10 songs off both of those and you still don't have a good album. PS I like The Elder and did from its release

I love Kiss Alive 2 over Kiss Alive all day long. Also love side 4. Also i love the new songs on Smashes Thrashes and Hits.

My unpopular opinion, the only good album they put out was Alive

Yeah my unpopular opinion is you need to edit Mark's parts out or just don't air these kinda episodes. I know I'm a hater and you win but would you watch any show where half the dialogue drops out? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Mark is so in Love with Eric Singer, (who has always been a gun for hire) he constantly shits on Eric Carr, and Peter Criss. Peter Criss is a huge part of 70’s KISS sound, and Eric Carr carried Kiss’s sound to the next level. There is nothing Eric Singer brought nothing to the table other than solid playing. Everyone has their opinion, Mark is entitled to his, but he lets personal relationships cloud his judgements, in his defense I understand.

Lick it up - best album; Carnival of Souls- Top 5; Elder - Top 5 as well; Love the non-mske up era; Least favorite albuns era : Destroyer to Love Gun; Reunion - never liked

Wish Mark spend a few coin to upgrade systems. Cripes. He has cool stuff to say but it is aggravating like hell

Michael I owe you an apology I'm sure you don't remember my comments awhile back that the only reason kiss kept turning was because of Paul an that Gene would have stop along time ago ....I Was Wrong an you Were Right Sir

My unpopular opinion

Unpopular opinions: Alive II is nowhere near as good as Alive I and we are talking Alive I is 100X better. I will only listen to side 4 off of Alive II Unmasked is terrible. The first three albums sound terrible and I will never listen to those songs in that form. Rock and Roll Over too! The songs themselves are great, however.

Mark I AGREE about Eric Carr's playing. To be fair, he emotionally was in turmoil on the last 2 studio albums fearing he would be sacked. However, I just never thought he was amazing, and he was more erratic than people realize.

Destroyer and Revenge are freaking overrated.

gene simmons interviews are tedious same thing over and over and the guy is not FUNNY

I went to the Indy Expo in Feb of 1998. It was incredible. Guest were. Bruce Eric John Corabi Karl Kochran John Regan Bill Starkey I don't remember the Tribute band. Everyone signed autographs. No VIP stuff. ESP and Bruce and John did an accustic set of mostly new Union songs. Unpopular opinion. Revenge is the best Kiss studio album.

Bro! PlEASE..Tommy ""captired" Ace the best?? The man played his solos note for note. Having said I could see the automatic likeness, BUT..and look at it this way..it was Ace "clean" just like the record, just like Alice, etc..c'mon..BRUCE!!! HE captured Ace while adding his own, but in the form of the perfect sterward!! Here is a FACT..you don't know me and the doubt is valid but I tell you this: It bothers the HELL out of Tommy knowing that he dressed and played as somebody else cor tje last 20 plus years, it just a fact. Do you really have yourself convinced, despite of the time spent in the band, that KISS will forever be remembered as Paul, Gene, Ace & Peter!! Eric had to pull back in his abilities and Bruce had to play exactly like somebody else! Sorry..

My unpopular opinion is that after Love Gun, Monster is the only good studio album. 25 years of albums with 1 or 2 decent songs. Some with none. Sonic Boom is close. Which is sad that their last 2 albums were their best in 25 years.